Figure of the Day: Day 303: Bespin Guard

BESPIN GUARD Cloud City Security
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84638
Number: n/a
Includes: Hat, baton, blaster, handcuffs, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99
Availability: 2001
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: The blue-clad Bespin guards commonly known as "Wing Guards" are the law enforcement officers of Cloud City. Under the supervison of Baron Administrator Lando Calrissian, they protect the floating metropolis from criminals and Imperial forces. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' floor.

Commentary: Almost perfect. Hasbro's first true modern Bespin Guard is an awesome feat of toymaker know-how, with one major flaw. The figure has lots of accessories, a fantastic sculpt, great paint, and one baffling design choice-- his coat is open. Nowhere in the movie do I recall seeing his coat open. Is this supposed to represent a Bespin Guard extra getting dressed? Perhaps a Bespin Guard at the bar after a long day's work? I try not to harp on things like this, but this is just a bad decision on the part of Hasbro to make a nearly perfect figure with one big giant flaw staring you in the face. If the figure sucked, it wouldn't matter-- but the figure is really good.

The accessories for this figure are proof that, when they so choose, Hasbro can wow us. The figure has a removable hat, handcuffs that plug into his belt, a baton that plugs on to his belt, a blaster, and a holster. That's like everything you could ask for. (Except a closed jacket.) The accessories are a weird baby blue color, but that's easy to get past when you see all the detaling in the costume, in the face, and in the decoration. This is a high quality item, without a doubt, and one that every collector should pick up as an example of how Hasbro can do many, many things right on a figure.

Were Hasbro so inclined, it would be great to see this figure with a retooled torso and variant heads. I'd buy a few.

Collector's Notes: Along with Ellors Madak and Ketwol, in some areas this figure was a poisonous pegwarmer, sticking around for years after his initial shipments. For an army builder, this is very uncommon. It's not entirely certain why this figure didn't click-- was it the coat? The lack of desired ethnic variants? Bad timing? The lack of a good Cloud City playset? We may never know. Still, it's a very good figure, so go buy a couple. If you can get past authenticity, this is one of Hasbro's finest figures as far as looking good and being fun to play with goes. It's a toy, and it's a collector-quality figure all in one.

Day 303: March 5, 2007